Page 96 of Guarded
“Everything’s fine.” I put my arm around his shoulders and tugged him closer. “Except for the fact that you’re too far away from me.”
He sighed happily, leaning his head on my shoulder. “I’ve missed you.”
I kissed his temple. “Missed you more.”
“Not possible.”
A fake gagging noise has us both looking at Dash. He winked impishly, holding up his hands. “Sorry, but you two are so sweet it’s nauseating.”
“You’re just bitter because you’re single,” Noah said.
“Yup.” Dash pouted dramatically. “I can’t understand why no one wants to lock all of this down.” He gestured at his admittedly very cut physique. He was, objectively, a stunning male.
But he was nothing compared to my Noah.
“It’s because those men aren’t your fated mate,” Noah said softly, his eyes lingering on Lyle’s inert form. “You’re not supposed to love anyone else. I wish I’d realised that sooner.”
“Join the club,” Dash muttered under his breath. I wasn’t sure Noah heard; he was staring into space now, his mind a million miles from here.
I bit my lip as I studied him. Did he regret that it was me and not Lyle?
He couldn’t, right? I mean, the guy was a prick.
That didn’t necessarily mean anything though. I’d spent centuries in Hell torturing evil people who’d never known a day of discomfort in their lives. A lot of the time, those who deserved punishment the most didn’t see it during their mortal lifespan. They waltzed through life while karma repeatedly failed to catch them.
It would after death though. I hadn’t minded torturing those souls. Karma was a nickname I’d happily adopt.
I’d be Lyle’s karma too, if that was what Noah wanted.
But what if it wasn’t? What if he wanted to keep him alive because, deep down, he still felt something for him?
I was spiralling fast thanks to my overthinking. Thankfuck we weren’t bonded yet. Noah didn’t need a front-row seat to my insecurities.
If you were bonded, you’d already know how Noah felt.
“Are you mates then?” Dash’s question jolted us both from our individual reveries. “I can’t sense a bond.”
I hesitated, my anxiety holding my tongue in its grip.
Noah didn’t though.
“We’re fated mates, yes.” He laced his fingers through mine and smiled. “Not bonded yet because we’re trying not to rush things.”
I flashed back to kneeling behind Noah in his lacy thong. “We’re doing a stellar job of it too.”
Noah’s gaze sparkled as it met mine, and I knew he was thinking about the same thing. Was he also wondering when we could next recreate it?
Because I sure as fuck was.
My attention drifted over to where Lyle’s hands were twitching. “Time to go again.”
“Let me,” Noah said simply.
Without letting him regain consciousness, Noah unleashed a blast of his power. Lyle’s neck snapped with a loud crack, and the life left his body again.
“Not as much fun as my approach, but definitely efficient,” I said.
“I’ve had enough of listening to Lyle for a lifetime.” Noah shuddered slightly. “I’d be delighted to never hear his voice again.”
